Page 33 of Blood Feast

Astonished, Lio reached for Cassia’s presence again.I think we managed to open the passages for Kalos. Even the entire Charge.

The Lustra has accepted not just my Grace, but all Hesperines?

At least in this network of tunnels. Orthros’s Silvicultrix has given us quite a gift.

It’s your Gift to me that did it. This wasn’t possible before I was a Hesperine.

“The archers ambushed us as we were heading inside,” Rudhira said. “Kalos sent everyone else down first. The arrow caught him when he was sealing the portal behind us.”

Kalos groaned and stirred.

“Lie still,” Rudhira urged him.

He’s awake,Lio reassured Cassia.

Tell him not to scare us like that.

Lio passed her words on to Kalos, who grinned faintly. “Tell her these tunnels saved my hide tonight.”

“Yes, they did.” Rudhira sat back from his patient at last.

“My Prince,” Lio said, “tonight you’ve seen what Cassia and I can do.”

Rudhira let out a heavy sigh. “I want you two safe at home. But I think the Goddess has other ideas.”

“Let us use our power against Kallikrates.”

At last, Rudhira nodded. “When Hespera creates new defenders for us, I will not dishonor her gift. I will inform Argyros and Lyta of my decision, and we will tell you when and where you, Cassia, Mak, and Lyros should report for duty.”

“We’ll be ready.” Somehow.

Her newborn Craving was like a knife in his chest every time he drew breath.

“Now go,” Rudhira said. “Dawn is coming, and you can’t afford for the sun to catch you here.”

He was right. Cassia couldn’t withstand it if the Dawn Slumber trapped Lio in Tenebra.

PATH OF DESTRUCTION

I’m coming, Lio saidto her.Where are you?

They took me home.Her voice was faint under a cacophony of magic and Craving.

He loosened his collar.Are you alone now?

Yes.

He gave into Cassia’s aura, letting their Union pull him out of the passages and back to Orthros. He looked around in surprise at where his step had brought him. This icebound thicket must be somewhere in the unkempt gardens of House Komnena.

Behind him, a trail of black roses and chaotic emotions marked his Grace’s flight across the grounds. In front of him, a wall of thorns stood between him and her trembling presence.

“Cassia, what are you doing out here?”

Trying not to cause more destruction.

As he stood there, her bastion of thorns was growing and sprouting more black roses by the moment. He could feel the roots of her power spreading through the garden, feeding on the letting site’s nourishment. Her thoughts were just as wild.

He caressed her beleaguered mind.You’re inundated. Won’t you let me in so I can help?

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